Comments on: Notes on R*ce http://www.gnof.org/blog/notes-on-rce/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:10:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michael Burt http://www.gnof.org/blog/notes-on-rce/#comment-15754 Michael Burt Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:52:49 +0000 http://www.gnof.org/?p=3571#comment-15754 One can never escape the awareness of race. Being a white person, when I see another white person walking down my street I never think to myself "hey, look at the white guy walking down the street." We often make our first inventory of the other person by how they are different from ourselves. The problem emerges however when we see those differences as grounds for fear as opposed to celebration. Very rarely will we go shopping for clothes made of only one color. We tend to shop for clothes that have some type of variety or distinction. I tend to feel the same way regarding my neighborhood or surroundings. Without the variety that many different skin tones or cultures bring, life becomes mundane quickly. In my home state of Texas we are having a series of strong debates over the issue of immigration. There are many here that feel distress at the fact that the state will officially be a "minority majority" soon and they fear that they are having the culture of another forced upon them. I find it interesting one should fear having the culture of another forced upon them while hypocritically demanding that they accept yours in order to blend in. The hispanic culture has always been a major part of this state. Some of my first memories as a child was dining in the local Mexican food restaurant. It seems that for some, the culture of others is acceptable only as a novelty. There will be a long road in America before race is not the elephant in the room. Even today we are finding examples where we are still teaching our children that people are identifiable by something as arbitrary skin color. There is currently a debate at a Mississippi middle school where skin color decided what student body office you are allowed to hold ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38880820/ns/us_news-life/ ). It is a difficult circle to close. To feel comfortable with others, one must understand who they are. To understand who they are, one must allow some closeness. Unfortunately, the ones that would benefit from a little extra work at being understanding are the ones less open to closeness. How do you break through those barriers? Like any thing that is successful, it is a seed you must plan and nurture. It takes one on one attention and much time. It requires that you "be the change you wish to see in the world." When it is all said and done, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Michael One can never escape the awareness of race. Being a white person, when I see another white person walking down my street I never think to myself “hey, look at the white guy walking down the street.” We often make our first inventory of the other person by how they are different from ourselves.

The problem emerges however when we see those differences as grounds for fear as opposed to celebration. Very rarely will we go shopping for clothes made of only one color. We tend to shop for clothes that have some type of variety or distinction. I tend to feel the same way regarding my neighborhood or surroundings. Without the variety that many different skin tones or cultures bring, life becomes mundane quickly.

In my home state of Texas we are having a series of strong debates over the issue of immigration. There are many here that feel distress at the fact that the state will officially be a “minority majority” soon and they fear that they are having the culture of another forced upon them. I find it interesting one should fear having the culture of another forced upon them while hypocritically demanding that they accept yours in order to blend in. The hispanic culture has always been a major part of this state. Some of my first memories as a child was dining in the local Mexican food restaurant. It seems that for some, the culture of others is acceptable only as a novelty.

There will be a long road in America before race is not the elephant in the room. Even today we are finding examples where we are still teaching our children that people are identifiable by something as arbitrary skin color. There is currently a debate at a Mississippi middle school where skin color decided what student body office you are allowed to hold ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38880820/ns/us_news-life/ ).

It is a difficult circle to close. To feel comfortable with others, one must understand who they are. To understand who they are, one must allow some closeness. Unfortunately, the ones that would benefit from a little extra work at being understanding are the ones less open to closeness. How do you break through those barriers? Like any thing that is successful, it is a seed you must plan and nurture. It takes one on one attention and much time. It requires that you “be the change you wish to see in the world.”

When it is all said and done, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Michael

]]> By: Johnnie Thompson http://www.gnof.org/blog/notes-on-rce/#comment-15604 Johnnie Thompson Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:59:57 +0000 http://www.gnof.org/?p=3571#comment-15604 History has shown, racism will always be with us. Any fair research on this issue will reflect this scenerio. My question has always been, what is the criteria that prides oneself to be superior to others? History has shown, racism will always be with us. Any fair research on this issue will reflect this scenerio. My question has always been, what is the criteria that prides oneself to be superior to others?

]]> By: Angelina http://www.gnof.org/blog/notes-on-rce/#comment-11316 Angelina Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:15:52 +0000 http://www.gnof.org/?p=3571#comment-11316 We are afraid to bring up race. If we complain about anything in that context our issues are minimized by the idea of using the "race" card. I think in some ways that is why Obama feels it necessary not to acknowledge the uprise of racism, bigotry and hatred brought on by his historic presidency. We are afraid to bring up race. If we complain about anything in that context our issues are minimized by the idea of using the “race” card. I think in some ways that is why Obama feels it necessary not to acknowledge the uprise of racism, bigotry and hatred brought on by his historic presidency.

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